Information Guides

Family Life in Zug

While many consider Zug ideal for taxation purposes and doing business, it is also an idyllic place to be with your family. There are a variety of activities, organzations and events with families in mind. From renting sleds on the Zugerberg in Winter, to splashing in the Zugersee Badis in Summer, families will find Zug welcoming and easily managable every season of the year. The Canton of Zug boasts a variety of museums, cultural attractions and over 60 playgrounds. Educational opportunities abound, whether you choose to register your children in the local Swiss schools, or prefer a more international environment, there is something for every age and stage. Visit the Education section of our Services guide for more details. For inspiration and ideas to keep your family entertained and active, check out the Zug Tourisms suggestions here.

Family Support Association Zug

We support families and individuals

We aim our assistance, our help to individuals and families living in the canton of Zug who find themselves in difficult life circumstances. Our charges are based on our clients income.

We offer help in the following life situations...

Help and support when someone in the household falls ill or has an accident.

Help for families and people who are over-burdened or find themselves in difficult life circumstances.

Help during pregnancy and after the child's birth.

Assistance for families with several children or families with sick or handicapped children who need care and attention.

We offer the following kinds of work...

housekeeping

childcare

care for sick members of the family

assistance for daily hygiene care

taking time for your concerns and simply listen to you

Our family helpers have great experience in household tasks and carry out their duties with great devotion and responsibility.

Please note:
We offer help and relief for people up to retirement age. If you are already at retirement age, please contact Pro Senectute of the canton of Zug: +41 41 727 50 58.

Kinderregion.ch - Family activities in and around Zug

The best experiences to enjoy as a family are right on your doorstep: secluded forests, fun river and lake swimming spots, exciting museums for children, adventure hikes, adventure parks and much more.

Children of all ages want to experience something exciting, discover the unknown, understand the unexplained and let off steam. Zug, Zurich, Winterthur, Rapperswil and Baden make up a wonderful Children’s Region, offering an enormous range of excursion destinations and recreational experiences. Because it’s easy to lose track of all the options, the website kinderregion.ch provides inspiration for your next adventure.

There are 60 public recreation grounds in Canton Zug. The recreation ground guide shows where these places are and what they offer, and is available both online and in booklet form.

The recreation ground booklet "Achtung, fertig, austoben (On your marks, and get ready to let off steam!)" makes clear how large the diversity is within the canton, and was drawn up by the Health Department of the Canton Zug in close cooperation with Zug Tourism.

On 64 pages, the recreation ground guide provides information about the 60 public recreation grounds in the eleven Zug communities. In addition to information about the site and equipment, the brochure also provides information about public transport, as well as outdoor recipes, information on the communities or nature experiences in Zugerland.

The recreation ground guide is also offered in an online version. Each recreation ground / playground is presented with a short text, and pictograms indicate what is offered and facilitate orientation. The guide can be found on the website of Zug Tourism in both German and English.

The Zugersee is not just for taking photos of amazing sunsets. There are plenty of areas around the lake to enjoy time by the water and also get in and splash around. We've got several listed here from the Canton Zug, and each has it's own charm. If you want a family-friendly beach with restaurant, kiddie pool area and plenty of space, the Lido on the Cham-Zug Path is a great place to start. For those who love hanging out near the AltStadt, Seelikon Lido is the place to be and be seen. For a more natural bathing area, the Choller bathing area might be your thing. Just as there are numerous wanderwegs on Zugerberg, so there are many options to explore lake life in Zug. Most will open from mid May through September in good weather. However, there are also spots where you can go into the lake at your own risk and any time of year. Check the link for further details and opening times.

Industrie 45
Industrie 45 is the youth culture centre of Zug town. The «i45» offers a place where ideas can be put into practice, and also serves as a platform. Both the premises and infrastructure of «i45» are those of a professionally equipped concert hall: club room with bar, video-cutting room, digital video camera, film screen, photographic and sound laboratories, rehearsal room for bands, several rooms for groups, mobile music equipment and much more. The operators of the «i45» also help in the planning and execution of events and projects.

GGZ@Work - Podium 41
Podium 41 is a place where youths and adults from different walks of life, with opposing opinions and views, can meet, talk, listen and learn tolerance. In addition, Podium 41 considers itself to be a platform for creative artists of all ages. Apart from a variety of culinary offerings at low prices, without obligation to eat or drink, the Podium 41 team is in the process of building up its cultural programme. A visit to Podium 41 is certainly worthwhile - for families with children too.

Galvanik
This culture centre lies on the borders of Zug town in the Kollermühle area, and is housed in a former electro-plating factory. The bar, restaurant and concert hall are on the ground floor. The 13 rehearsal rooms on the three upper floors are hired out to local bands and musicians, and are an important part of the culture centre.

Youth Animation zug «jaz»
Jaz is a contact and lobby centre, mainly for young people ( from 11-25 years). As the «jaz» team focuses on the living world, the centre is open to all those who make use of the town’s welfare service. In the heart of the town, at Kirchenstrasse 7, the “Shop for Socioculture” serves as a meeting place. In addition, «jaz» has a good specialist library on the subject of socioculture. On the upper floor offices and workshops can be hired at favourable conditions.

Zug Specialist Unit for Youths and Children - Youth Support
The duties of the youth support section of the Zug Youth and Child Unit are very varied, and include: the establishment of networking and coordination in the youth sector: discussions on topical subjects: initiation and support of projects: offering of specialist knowledge and mediation between youth and parent and/or youth and public.

Private Schools

Education and knowledge within Switzerland are highly regarded, allowing the country to claim to have one of the world's best education systems. The Canton of Zug is no exception and should you choose to go the private school route, there are numerous, reputable private and international schools. These schools offer bilingual classes and programs from preschool, kindergarten and primary school to the world recognized Primary Year Program (PYP), Middle Years Program (MYP), Advanced Placement (AP), American High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP). While lving in this small and central location, Zug families can rest assured they have options when it comes to the education and future growth of their children.

You can find a list of International and Private schools in Zug in our Services Guide.

Local School System

Children and adolescents in the Canton of Zug have access to high-quality public schools. Attendance at public schools for the years of compulsory education (up to lower secondary level) is free of charge. In terms of student numbers, private schools play only a minor role. However, such private schools represent a valuable alternative and supplement the range of schools on offer.

Compulsory schooling in the Canton of Zug begins with a mandatory pre-school (kindergarten) year before a child reaches primary school age and lasts for 10 years in all. Primary school comprises six grades (six school years). At the end of primary school, on the threshold to lower secondary level (Sekundarstufe I), the educational path splits into different directions. Progression from primary to secondary level is effected by means of performance-based grouping, involving no admission or other exams, in a transition procedure called Übertritt I.

The lower secondary level is divided – with progressively higher intellectual demands on students – into Werkschule, Realschule and Sekundarschule, as well as Untergymnasium and Langzeitgymnasium, the latter two being geared to subsequent university studies. The end of the lower secondary years signifies the end of compulsory schooling. It is followed by upper secondary level (Sekundarstufe II).

At this stage, 70 % of the Canton of Zug’s youngsters opt for vocational education and training, which combines on-the-job training with school education (dual-track education system). Sekundarschule students have the possibility of continuing their education at an upper-secondary baccalaureate school (Kantonale Mittelschule). This progression is organised and executed in a further transition procedure (Übertritt II). No exams are involved in this procedure, either.

At the end of the upper secondary period, students either take up a profession or continue their education at tertiary level. All educational paths at upper secondary level — including vocational education and training — leave students with the option of a baccalaureate (Matura), provided they have sufficient academic talent and willingness to work hard at school. Graduating with a baccalaureate opens the door to university level education.

Please visit the Cantonal website for very detailed and updated information on the local school system.

Pregnancy, Birth and After

Tips on Giving Birth in Switzerland and the Role of the Doula

Growing a baby is such a miraculous process! Whether your little one is a surprise or a long-awaited gift, your life, and the lives of those whom you love are profoundly changing. Your consciously informed pregnancy can result in an incredibly positive birth experience for you, for your baby, and for your partner. Knowledge is power...especially when it comes to birth.

In Switzerland you will probably see an OB/GYN shortly after you hold a positive pregnancy result in your hands. Usually the first ultrasound is made when you are between 9 and 12 weeks pregnant. You can then decide to see a doctor or a midwife for further consultation. A combined option is also possible. If you plan a home birth, it is best to look for a home birth midwife right after the confirmation of your pregnancy. Between week 19 and 22 of your pregnancy you will see your chosen OB/GYN for a second ultrasound.

Most hospitals and birth centres offer a monthly information evening to share their birthing philosophy with you and to show you their facilities. It is recommended to visit several places so that you find the best option that meets your personal needs. Create a list of questions before you go, so that you can gather as much information as possible while you’re there. Or plan a personal appointment with a midwife at the specific hospital or birth centre you are interested in.

Midwives and doctors will be present throughout labour to ensure the safe passage for both mama and baby. In Switzerland, doctors are usually only present at the very end of labour, unless there is a medical necessity for them to be there during labour. Some people hire a private doctor and either that doctor or a doctor from the same practice you have chosen, will be present if necessary. However, because midwives and doctors often have more than one patient at a time and have other responsibilities, they might not be able to be there the entire time to offer the kind of familiar supportive presence you deserve. This is the role of a doula. Her presence can be invaluable.

In many cases the birthing woman has had very little, if any, opportunity to get to know the midwife or midwives who will attend her birth. Often, they will meet for the first time when arriving at the chosen hospital or birth centre when they are in labour. The doula, on the other hand, has ideally had the opportunity to establish a good relationship with the mother and her partner during the pregnancy. Because the doula does nothing medical and gives emotional, physical and practical support, she is able to provide continuous care throughout all shift changes and will work to foster a harmonious relationship between her client and the staff.

The continuous presence of a doula before, during and after birth can immeasurably increase a mother’s satisfaction with her birth experience, permanently impacting her feelings as a woman and a mother. By consciously learning about the birth process and intentionally creating a supportive and loving birth environment, a woman empowers herself and her family in ways that can be sustaining for a lifetime.

In Switzerland, most insurance companies cover up to 16 visits (until the 56th day postpartum) from a midwife after your baby is born. She is responsible for making sure that you and your baby are doing well medically. It is recommended to hire a postpartum midwife as early into your pregnancy as possible. This ensures that you will find a midwife that can meet your personal requirements in terms of language, baby care and breastfeeding philosophy. Some midwives offer medically trained breastfeeding support ("Stillberaterin IBCLC – Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant"). If your midwife has no such certificate, you can find an IBCLC online in addition to your postpartum midwife if you need extra breastfeeding support.

If you wish to join the La Leche League, you are welcome to attend a "Stilltreffen" in your area before or right after birth. This breastfeeding support, from mother to mother, either in a one to one meeting, phone call or at a group gathering, is free of charge and is a wonderful opportunity to meet other new mothers. You can explore this website for more information.

If you need additional support with cooking and cleaning postpartum, it is best to contact your midwife or doctor to get a prescription for either help through a postpartum doula or Spitex. It is possible that your birth doula also provides postpartum services or she will be happy to help you find a postpartum doula.

You will have the opportunity to be accompanied by "Mütter- und Väterberatung" in your "Gemeinde". You will get all the relevant information after birth from your place of birth or postpartum midwife.
We wish you well on your journey and hope that this gives you a clearer picture of what birth is like in Switzerland.